Literary methods Flashcards
What is a paradox?
A statement that is contradictory but at the same time is a truth, such as “Fair is foul and foul is fair” or “Not so happy, yet much happier”.
What is a pathetic fallacy?
The attribution of human characteristics to an inanimate objects of nature, such as “Thunder and lightning. Enter three witches”.
How is stage directions used?
Long pauses by Macbeth in Act 1 Scene 3 and 5 showing that Macbeth is dumbstruck.
What is an iambic trimeter/bimeter?
A line consisting of two/three iambic units (an unstressed syllable followed by a stressed one), such as “As this which I now draw”, which emphasizes that Macbeth will draw a dagger to kill Duncan.
What is a prose?
Language in an ordinary form without metrical structure, spoken by lesser characters, such as when Lady Macbeth switches from speaking in verse to speaking in prose in Act 5 Scene 1.
What is a rhyming couplet?
Two lines of the same length that rhyme and complete one thought, such as “Hear it not, Duncan, for it is a knell (funeral bell) That summons thee to heaven or hell” that suggests that Macbeth has made up his mind about killing Duncan and the audience i reminded of how the witches speak.
How has sound devices been used?
“A bell rings” (stage directions) that calls Macbeth to move towards Duncan’s room to commit the murder.
How have monologues been used in Macbeth?
Act 2 Scene 1 with the dagger slowly turning red signifying that Macbeth turning to commit regicide and the stress on Macbeth.
What is a soliloquy?
A monologue (speech) addressed to oneself, or spoken thoughts not addressed to another. They are used to show the deteriorating minds and thoughts of Macbeth and Lady Macbeth.
What is an allusion?
When an object or circumstance is covertly referenced, such as “Like the poor cat i’th’adage?” or “Till that Bellona’s (Roman goddess of war) bridgegroom (husband)” (referring to Macbeth).
What is dramatic irony?
Where the audience know more about a situation than the characters, majorly around Duncan’s death, Lady Macbeth’s guilt, and Macbeth’s insanity.
